by Eugene Teslya

Created on: April 25, 2010

Push-up workouts are a popular exercise for building strong arms and a powerful upper body (chest and shoulders.) The beauty of a push-up workout is in its simplicity – you don’t need any equipment or a lot of space. If you are exercising with a partner you have a chance to significantly improve your regular workout. The following push-up exercises with a partner will increase the workout’s intensity by make the push-ups more challenging and interesting at the same time.

Double the load

Start with the push-up position. Ask you partner to get in the push-up position with his feet lying on a top of your torso. Your bodies should form 90 degree angle. Both of you perform push-ups at the same time. Do 5-10 push-ups then switch the position – now you put your feet on your partner’s shoulders. Note, that the closer the legs to the shoulders – the tougher the workout.

Jumping push-ups

Start in a push-up position, your partner is standing (facing the same direction) and folding both your legs by your ankles (like a wheel barrow.) Using only your arms – jump forward. Your partner should hold you legs and follow (not push you). If you don’t have room to perform jumps – just do push-ups in this position.

Last man standing

Both you and your partner get into push-up position and remain in it during the entire exercise. Perform alternate, incremental push-ups. You do one push-up (stay in push-up position) then your partner does one; next you do two push-ups and so on. The variation of this exercise – you start with the highest number push-ups you and your partner can perform and then decrease by one. Just remember when one of you does push-ups – the partner remains in the push-up position.

Push-ups with turn

You and your partner get into the push-up position facing each other. Do same time push-up once you are up clap your right hand with your partner’s right, next push-up – clap your left palms. Bring your right hand up and over – rotate half circle (your both hands on the floor, you are facing up). Perform reverse (triceps’) push-up. Return back – perform two push-ups with cross-clap (switch arms each time) and turn to opposite direction for next triceps’ push-up.

These push-up workout variations are fun way to spice up your regular routing. They are more intense than regular push-ups, so next time you have an opportunity to exercise with a partner try them out – you will build a stronger muscles and a closer friendship.

Learn more about this author, Eugene Teslya.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.